RARGH!!! Bloody community paed!!

[Flamesparrow]

How many times in how many ways does he want to tell me Flamechick isn't autistic??

By autistic he means classic autism.

Apparently (according to the wisdom of comm paed) AS is a language thing, purely language and cannot be even thought about until they are at least 7 years old.

Twice now I have sat there wasting mine and his time.

I know she isn't autistic. I think she has many AS traits. Not desperately severe, but enough to make her little life awkward in future so I wanted to get support in place now before she becomes "the child with attitude problems".

I still haven't called NAS I just feel like I am wasting their time - it doesn't impact her life greatly if we manage it right, the dr seems to think I am being pfb. maybe he is right.

Gah.

Developmental paed definitely (although sometimes watching and waiting with an understanding that something might be going on can be appropriate- providing support can be accessed in the meatime - I do know someone who did this- lots of professional support without a dx- which eventually it was agreed wasn't needed).

Do ring the NAS. They're much more use for AS/HFA anyway. Bloody useless for severe autism (I'll get in trouble now ). Seriously though- they will be able to help and you will get a sympathetic response. It's about the only thing they do well!

Right. Am much calmer now

Thank you for your replies

I'm going to phone NAS on Weds (when I have a child-free morning) and have a chat with them, and sort out a decent consult.

My mum (works in a school) says her drawings are weird too She may just be paranoid though!! She says the fingers on people are bizarre and not the normal pattern for child development drawing iyswim.

Oh dear Flame, just seen this Glad your Mum is going to come with you, definitely agree that you need a developmental paed as some community paeds can be spectacularly rubbish - the one we first saw with DD said categorically that she didn't have Dyspraxia. It was only when we got to the co-ordination clinic that we got anywhere and as you know, there is no doubt in any one else's mind that she most definitely does have dyspraxia.

I am very vague on the whole AS diagnosis thing here but do know that they refused to diagnose Dustystar's DS until he was 7, despite him having a statement. A new paed has just been appointed at Poole and and her DS has now finally got his dx.